Included in this outlook is the prediction of a “few inches of snow” falling tonight north of the I-70 corridor at elevations as low as 10,000 feet. This would be the first measurable snowfall of the summer following the end of lingering wintery weather in late June.

Along with this report of snow, hail as large as 2 inches is a threat in the Eastern Plains region, as well as north of Greeley to Akron. An isolated tornado will also be possible with wind speeds potentially reaching up to 70 miles per hour. As this storm cycle continues, cooler temperatures are expected to move into the state until weather warms up again over the weekend.

According to Joel Gratz of OpenSnow.com, the storm moving into Colorado tonight is the 2nd of three storms with snowfall potential. The third storm will likely arrive on September 17th. In his report, Gratz states that a snow-bringing storm like this is relatively normal in September. It will be unlikely to impact ski season. However, the early snowfall is impacting other tourist attractions around Colorado, including Rocky Mountain National Park’s Trail Ridge Road, which is set to close early tonight due to incoming wintery weather.

Snowfall around Colorado was quite heavy last year, with lasting snowpack impacting summer outdoor recreation around the state. High-altitude trails remained covered with snow and ice into summer, mountain roads opened late, late-season avalanche risk was widespread, and snowmelt-swollen waters proved dangerous to river-goers.

If you’ll be traveling around Colorado tonight, be aware of where wintery weather is likely to hit. Proceed with caution and monitor travel conditions. The Colorado Department of Transportation is a great resource, posting regular updates on Facebook, Twitter, and their official website.

Here’s a full breakdown of the areas impacted by this hazardous weather outlook:

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